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Digital identity and address systems made it possible for Ghana’s digitalisation to take off – Bawumia
Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has underscored the significance of the digital identity and address systems to modern economies and nations.
Speaking during his campaign tour of Dome Kwabenya Constituency in Accra on Thursday, Dr. Bawumia said developed economies have gone ahead leaving African countries behind, because their economies went digital, adding that, for African countries to catch up, there is the need for African economies to also go digital.
Dr. Bawumia, who has passionately spearheaded Ghana’s remarkable digitalisation drive, said he proposed that African economies should go digital in order to achieve economic transformation, in a book he wrote 14 years ago.
“I wrote a book in 2010 – ‘Monetary Policy and Financial Sector Reforms in Africa” and I made the point that Africa needs to go digital. That if we don’t go digital, we are going to be left behind because the digital revolution is the key for African economic development,” Dr. Bawumia told a diverse audience.
Having written the book six years before he became Vice President, Dr. Bawumia said once he got the opportunity to serve as Vice President, he knew exactly where his focus should be, with the blessings of President Akufo-Addo.
“When I came into office, I focused on one area which is digitalisation of the economy,” he said.
According to him, “I focused on it for a good reason because in the modern economy digitalisation is key to solving a lot of problems not only in Ghana but across Africa.”
Dr. Bawumia, however, added that for Ghana’s digitalisation to successfully take off, a solid foundation needed to be built, because without those foundations, digitalising the economy could not have been achieved, hence his focus on that.
“There are things you have to do first if you want to enter the digital world. First, your citizens must be digitally identified. That’s why we said let us issue the Ghana card and the Ghana Card has been issued,” he said.
According to him, “85% of adults in Ghana now have the Ghana card. We have issued 18 million Ghana cards and that makes Ghana the leading country in sub- Saharan African for digital identity. Today, even children who are born in Ghana, we are giving them digital identities just as it happens abroad.”
The Vice President added that “We give them an identity number at birth. We have linked that Ghana card with the birth and death registry so that integration of those systems is allowing Ghana to do something that no other country in the world has been able to do.”
Another digital foundation Dr. Bawumia said he focused on, which he noted is essential to creating a digital economy, is digital address system.
“When we came into office, Ghana was not having an address system that was working throughout the country… But an address system is TV one of the most important elements for any modern economy,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“An address system is so important that today, if you go to the United States and you collapse their address system; just erase it, if you could, that economy will collapse because you can’t function. The businesses cannot function without an address system,” he stressed.
Dr. Bawumia stated that when he remained committed to building these structures for a strong and efficient digital economy for Ghana, many, who did not understand the linkage between digitalisation and economy, questioned what he was doing and also sought to mock him.
“When I started, many people could not understand how digitalisation related to the economy and so increasingly, they are now beginning to understand,” he concluded.
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You won’t regret, I’ll make you proud – Newly elected GBA president
The newly elected President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has vowed to lead the Association towards a united and progressive future.
Speaking after her historic election in Kumasi on Wednesday, Ghartey pledged to resolve divisions and end factions within the GBA, emphasising the importance of unity.
She stressed that the Association’s success depends on the collective effort of all members and called for a shared commitment to advancing the GBA’s goals.
According to her, “The Bar has spoken and from this day forward it is a united Bar in service. No divisions, no factions. It is over. It is time that we put shoulders to the plough and work to deliver what we believe should be the bar in progress.”
“This indeed is something new, something novel that the bar for the first time has entrusted leadership to the ladies and I know that with God’s help, we shall make you proud,” she said.
“We shall serve you with all our ability and we shall make sure that you will never regret this choice,” she stated.
Mrs Ghartey’s election is being hailed as a transformative moment for the GBA, as it ushers in new leadership that is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the legal profession in Ghana.
She polled 1,278 votes to beat her closest contender Agbesi Dzakpasu who polled 1060.
Mrs Ghartey, a seasoned lawyer of over 30 years’ standing at the Bar and with an extensive track record of service to the GBA, was running for national president for the third time.
Her two previous attempts ended in a narrow loss to Tony Forson, the immediate past president of the GBA, and Yaw Boafo, the current national president, by thin margins of 67 and 65 votes, respectively.
Undeterred by these setbacks, Mrs Ghartey who is also the wife of former Attorney General, Joe Ghartey, spent the past six years consistently voicing her intention to lead the GBA.
In the Vice Presidential race, Victoria Barth polled 1624 of the total votes to win the race defeating Ebenezer Kwaitoo who polled 495 votes.
Victoria Barth is an accomplished legal professional, well known for her stellar academic career at the Ghana School of Law, where she has mentored and taught many young lawyers.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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Alan Kyeremateng nominates Kwame Owusu Danso as running mate
Leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has nominated a young lawyer and media practitioner as his running mate.
Revealing his running mate, he said “I have nominated a young person, a lawyer by profession, a political activist, and his name is Kwame Owusu Danso, as my running mate.”
Speaking after submitting his nomination to contest for the Presidency at the Electoral Commission today, he noted that someone who is a youth advocate, Kwame Owusu Danso would bring his expertise to his candidacy for the needed transformation.
Mr.Kyerematen highlighted that Mr.Owusu Danso’s selection aligns with the aspirations of Ghana’s youth who are seeking greater inclusion in governance decisions.
Additionally, he stressed that Mr.Danso’s is a youth icon, recognized for his versatility and broad talents across corporate management, law, broadcast journalism, music, and civil society activism.
He is optimistic that God will guide their footsteps to victory come December 7,2024, adding that by this step, MFC is providing a platform for a non-partisan candidate to be elected as President.
Mr.Kyerematen further noted that Mr.Danso’s consistent history of advocating for public causes, especially in promoting quality governance, further strengthens his credibility.
His work with renowned professionals such as Dr. Lloyd Amoah of the University of Ghana, and governance experts like Dr. Kojo Asante and Dr. Franklin Oduro of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), underscores his commitment to transparency and accountability.
Mr.Owusu Danso as a founding member of the Forum for Accountable Governance (FAG), Danso has been dedicated to issues such as anti-corruption, electoral reforms, environmental governance, and human rights over the period.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
